Troopers: DUI driver kills 3 in Howard Frankland crash

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - The Florida Highway Patrol has identified the family killed in a crash caused by an alleged drunk driver on the Howard Frankland Bridge.

Troopers said the victims are Robert Getter, 76, Karen Getter, 73, and Samuel Getter, 52. The family was from Leesburg, Florida.

Meanwhile, the man accused of causing the violent crash, 25-year-old Joshua Burbank, has bonded out of the Pinellas County Jail.

FHP said Burbank faces three DUI manslaughter charges. He spent only a few hours behind bars after troopers said he crashed his Honda Civic into the family’s GMC Sierra, sending it off the Howard Frankland Bridge.

Although he was released from jail less than 24-hours after the crash, he could spend significant time behind bars. Each charge against Burbank carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years, if he’s convicted.

A neighbor said Burbank didn't seem to be a problem-starter.

“He doesn't seem like the careless kind of guy that you see here, drinking, partying and problems. He seems like a family guy,” Burbank’s neighbor, Jason Lee told FOX 13’s Josh Cascio.

This crash is an extreme example of what law enforcement across the Bay Area was trying to curb, especially over the Fourth of July weekend. They began stepping up enforcement and running DUI checkpoints.

“We want people to go out and have fun, and if you decide to drink, drink responsibly. That means have a [designated driver] and have a plan to get home,” explained Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office PIO Larry McKinnon.

In Pinellas County, deputies formed a high-impact “Wolf Pack" operation Friday and Saturday – resulting in 40 charges, 13 of which were DUIs.

There are many options for responsible transportation to and from holiday celebrations in the Bay Area - from a cab, to Uber, to the Tow to Go program, where a tow truck will actually pick you up and get you and your car home safely, free of charge.